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Di Natale C, Coppola S, Vespini V, Tkachenko V, Russo S, Luciani G, Vitiello G, Ferranti F, Mari S, Ferraro P, Maffettone PL, Grilli S. Highly sensitive detection of the neurodegenerative biomarker Tau by using the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jetting. Biosens Bioelectron 2024; 254:116234. [PMID: 38522234 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2024.116234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
It is largely documented that neurodegenerative diseases can be effectively treated only if early diagnosed. In this context, the structural changes of some biomolecules such as Tau, seem to play a key role in neurodegeneration mechanism becoming eligible targets for an early diagnosis. Post-translational modifications are responsible to drive the Tau protein towards a transition phase from a native disorder conformation into a preaggregation state, which then straight recruits the final fibrillization process. Here, we show for the first time the detection of pre-aggregated Tau in artificial urine at femto-molar level, through the concentration effect of the pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet (p-jet) technique. An excellent linear calibration curve is demonstrated at the femto-molar level with a limit of detection (LOD) of 130 fM. Moreover, for the first time we show here the structure stability of the protein after p-jet application through a deep spectroscopic investigation. Thanks to the small volumes required and the relatively compact and cost-effective characteristics, this technique represents an innovative breakthrough in monitoring the early stage associated to neurodegeneration syndromes in different scenarios of point of care (POC) and such as for example in long-term human space exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Di Natale
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy.
| | - Sara Coppola
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Veronica Vespini
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Volodymyr Tkachenko
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Simone Russo
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Luciani
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Vitiello
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Center for Colloid and Surface Science (CSGI), Via Della Lastruccia, Sesto Fiorentino, FI, 80078, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Mari
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Via Del Politecnico snc, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Ferraro
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Pier Luca Maffettone
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy
| | - Simonetta Grilli
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Chimica, Dei Materiali e Della Produzione Industriale (DICMaPI), Università Degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Piazzale Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy; Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems (ISASI), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Pozzuoli, NA, 80078, Italy.
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Hunting for Novel Routes in Anticancer Drug Discovery: Peptides against Sam-Sam Interactions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810397. [PMID: 36142306 PMCID: PMC9499636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the diverse protein binding modules, Sam (Sterile alpha motif) domains attract attention due to their versatility. They are present in different organisms and play many functions in physiological and pathological processes by binding multiple partners. The EphA2 receptor contains a Sam domain at the C-terminus (EphA2-Sam) that is able to engage protein regulators of receptor stability (including the lipid phosphatase Ship2 and the adaptor Odin). Ship2 and Odin are recruited by EphA2-Sam through heterotypic Sam-Sam interactions. Ship2 decreases EphA2 endocytosis and consequent degradation, producing chiefly pro-oncogenic outcomes in a cellular milieu. Odin, through its Sam domains, contributes to receptor stability by possibly interfering with ubiquitination. As EphA2 is upregulated in many types of tumors, peptide inhibitors of Sam-Sam interactions by hindering receptor stability could function as anticancer therapeutics. This review describes EphA2-Sam and its interactome from a structural and functional perspective. The diverse design strategies that have thus far been employed to obtain peptides targeting EphA2-mediated Sam-Sam interactions are summarized as well. The generated peptides represent good initial lead compounds, but surely many efforts need to be devoted in the close future to improve interaction affinities towards Sam domains and consequently validate their anticancer properties.
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